Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

• 

  Quite an exprience - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Divey - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a Honda CRX and my dads Mercedes, after my CRX gave up I got a Nissan Sentra. It was a totally different car from what I usually drive and was quite an experience. The way it drives impresses me the most. Once on the free way it just glides on the road. The noise levels are so low that you hardly feel any thing. Good gas mileage meets you can drive more. Although the pick up is not as impressive as a Honda but has a much better driving experience. The interior look are above average and you love to be inside a Sentra.

• 

  A Real SUV, not a Soccer Mom Mobile! - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Ardie86 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Now this is an SUV! From the first day I saw the XTerra, I knew that was the SUV I wanted and could easily afford. The trucks been great. I live in the mountains and the XTerras made my life so much easier. Mudslide? What mudslide? Snow? No problem. Could use a bit more power to climb the hills, but turning off the overdrive gives continued power and saves the brakes on the downhill. I also make 500-mile road trips to see family and we always choose to take the X. Smooth ride. Plenty of space for people and cargo. Mileage isnt bad on highway. Friends love it. Think it looks cool. Two have gone on to purchased an XTerra.

• 

  AWESOME - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By bikeman - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Watch out this baby will get you into trouble with John Law. As in speeding tickets. I love the car it runs great and handles well. The fit finish is what I expect and so far after 8,500 miles I have had no problem.

• 

  Excellent 4x4 - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Brian Bloom - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought the X because the price point was very attractive to me. I didnt want to spend 30k on an SUV that I intended to take off road. I have been in the mud, sand and dirt and this truck out preformed my friends Mitsu Montero and a Toyota Tacoma..both cost considerable more...I didnt get the supercharger but it would be nice to have, dont know if its worth the xtra dough....

• 

  Good Vehicle But Not Great - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By das - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Pros: Good workmanship, Good steering, Nice size, OK ride Cons: Engine Sound, Vibration through gas pedal, Large expansive dash - like a mini van, Costly by the time you add options.

• 

  I Love Nissan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By NA - January 18 - 10:56 pm

  Its a fun vehicle to drive.

• 

  best value - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By magicdialtone - January 18 - 8:09 pm

  Recently purchased a maxima after driving several other cars, TL, AUDI, BMW, Infiniti. To me it was the best value. I also saved much more off the list price due to dealer incentives and supplier discount I received from my work. This made it the best value for me. It does feel better to drive and much more quite than my TL. Roomier than the others I drove an I like the looks

• 

  Overrated - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By trun - January 17 - 8:14 pm

  Car looks great from the outside but as soon as you step foot on the inside, it is a piece of crap. I had a 2009 Altima and regret every day that I ever traded it in for a 2013. The back up camera is absolutely atrocious! You cant even see out of it. There is a rattling in the roof that will not stop. The navigation is horrible. My 2009 navigation/camera system was WAY better than this horrible 2013. When I brought it to Nissan with these complaints they said that I needed to check my surroundings anyways and basically admitted this camera was pointless. I am VERY disappointed with this purchase. I will not buy a Nissan again because of the swindling I felt like I had received.

• 

  FUN TO DRIVE! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By GNL - January 17 - 10:26 am

  I TRULY WANTED THE 6 CYL 250 HP, BUT DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THE EXTRA 4,000.00. WHAT A SUPRISE AT THE POWER OF THE 175HP 4 CYL.THIS CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE. I KNOW IT IS THE BEST LOOKING CAR IN ITS CLASS. THE INTERIOR IS VERY ROOMY,THE TRUNK IS LARGE. CRUISING AT 100 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE DID NOT BRING ANY VIBRATIONS,VERY SMOOTH RIDE.

• 

  2005 Altima 3.5se 5spd - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By rwouell1 - January 17 - 10:04 am

  I love love love this car. I bought it new in 2005 and have almost 92000 on it now. The 3.5 with a 5spd is a rocket ship. Love to pull up next to sport coupes and blow there door off. I have only had to change the breaks and put new tires on it. It has been to the shop twice for repair work. Once for a rear suspension recall and once to replace something in the steering system which had rusted out. Over all would buy another except for the fact that you can no longer get a v6 stick shift sedan anymore. Only wish the car had come with abs and side airbags. Might actually trade it in for a mazda.